Steamed Chicken Momos Recipe With Spicy Dipping Sauce
Chicken momos have become one of the most beloved dumplings across South Asia and beyond, cherished for their soft, pillowy texture and savory filling.
Steamed to perfection, these little pockets of comfort food originated in Tibet and Nepal before winning hearts worldwide.
Street vendors and fine dining restaurants alike feature them on menus because they satisfy cravings any time of day.
The gentle cooking process keeps everything tender while allowing flavors to meld beautifully inside that delicate wrapper.
Momos work wonderfully as appetizers, snacks, or even light meals when you want something satisfying yet not too heavy.
Pairing them with spicy dipping sauces creates a flavor combination that keeps people coming back for more.
Friends and family gather around plates of freshly steamed dumplings, making any occasion feel special.
Making homemade momos fills your kitchen with warmth and creates memorable moments around the table.
What Makes Chicken Momos So Enjoyable
Core Ingredients for Chicken Momos
Momo Wrapper:Chicken Filling:Tools Used for Chicken Momos
Preparation Steps for Chicken Momos
Prepare Dough
Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Gradually add 1/3 cup water and knead until the dough feels smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest while preparing the filling.
Create Chicken Mixture
Grab a separate bowl and combine the filling ingredients carefully:
Mix everything thoroughly so each bite will have balanced flavors.
Roll Dough Wrappers
Dust your work surface with flour. Pinch small pieces of dough and roll them into thin, circular shapes about 3 inches wide. Keep the remaining dough covered to prevent drying.
Fill Wrappers
Place one rounded tablespoon of chicken mixture in the center of each wrapper. Don’t overfill, or you’ll have trouble sealing them.
Shape Momos
Fold the wrapper edges to create beautiful half-moon shapes. Pinch the edges firmly to seal the filling inside.
Steam Cooking
Lightly grease a steamer basket with cooking spray. Arrange momos without touching each other. Steam at 212°F for exactly 12 minutes until the wrappers look translucent and shiny.
Serve and Enjoy
Transfer the hot momos to a serving plate. Pair with your favorite chili-garlic chutney for an extra kick of flavor.
Useful Notes for Chicken Momos
Different Takes on Chicken Momos
How to Serve Chicken Momos
How To Store Chicken Momos
Chicken Momos Questions Readers Often Ask
Are momos hard to make at home?
Momos seem complicated, but they’re actually simple once you understand the technique. Fold carefully and practice a few times to get smooth, neat dumplings.
Can I use different meat instead of chicken?
Absolutely! Ground lamb, pork, or turkey work perfectly. Vegetarians can replace meat with tofu or mixed vegetables for delicious results.
What if my dough feels too dry or sticky?
Adjust by adding tiny amounts of water or flour. The perfect dough should feel smooth and elastic without cracking when stretched.
How thin should the wrapper be?
Roll wrappers super thin, almost transparent. Thin wrappers ensure quick, even steaming and a delicate texture that melts in your mouth.
Do I need special equipment to steam momos?
Not at all! A regular steamer basket or even a colander over boiling water works great. The key is keeping momos above direct water contact.
Can I freeze uncooked momos?
Definitely! Arrange uncooked momos on a tray, freeze separately, then transfer to freezer bags. Steam directly from frozen, adding 2-3 extra minutes to cooking time.
Chicken Momos Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 1x
Description
Chicken Momos bring delicious Nepalese street food straight to your kitchen with simple ingredients and quick preparation. Steamed dumplings packed with savory spiced chicken will become your new favorite comfort meal that disappears faster than you can make them.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 200 Grams Chicken Mince
- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ Cup Onion
- ½ Cup Spring Onion
- 2 Tablespoons Celery
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- ⅓ Cup Water
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Ginger
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic
- 1 Tablespoon Oyster Sauce
- 1 Teaspoon Cornflour
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- Mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ⅓ cup water in a mixing bowl. Knead the ingredients until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, combine 200 grams chicken mince with ½ cup chopped onion, 2 tablespoons chopped celery, ½ cup spring onion, ½ teaspoon ginger, and ½ teaspoon garlic.
- Add 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon cornflour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper to the chicken mixture. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are well incorporated.
- Dust your work surface with flour. Divide the dough into small, equal-sized portions.
- Roll each dough portion into a thin, circular wrapper using a rolling pin. Aim for approximately 3-inch diameter circles.
- Place 1 heaping teaspoon of chicken filling in the center of each wrapper.
- Fold the wrapper edges to create half-moon shapes, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed.
- Arrange the momos in a lightly greased steamer basket, keeping them slightly separated.
- Steam the momos at 212°F for 10-12 minutes until the wrappers turn translucent and glossy.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Let the dough rest for at least 15-20 minutes to help it become more elastic and easier to roll out without tearing.
- Use very finely chopped vegetables to ensure the filling stays compact and steams evenly inside the wrapper.
- Keep your dough and wrappers covered with a damp cloth while working to prevent them from drying out and cracking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend, which will give slightly different but still delicious results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Tibetan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 147 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 345 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg




Mary Sue
Founder & Creative Recipe Developer
Expertise
Comfort Food Twists, Seasonal Cooking, Creative Flavor Pairings, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Flexible Pantry Cooking
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Mary Sue is the playful, creative recipe mind behind Mary Sue & Susan, known for big flavor ideas, warm storytelling, and dishes that feel both comforting and a little unexpected. She has a talent for taking familiar meals and giving them just enough personality to make them memorable.